Giving Yourself Permission to Rest
It may seem odd to talk about rest during the holiday season –often considered the busiest time of the year. Granted, it even feels a bit selfish when there is so much to do! Yet Giving Yourself Permission to Rest may be exactly the antidote needed to experience true contentment and peace this Christmas season.
Encouraged to Rest
During a recent counseling session, my counselor and I spent considerable time discussing the subject of rest. Steve and I had just completed a major move, and my body was clearly depleted. Even in my exhaustion, my natural response was to push through—to get the job done and worry about myself later. Sound familiar?
Disclaimer: this is not a healthy way to proceed.
Rest in Scripture
Surprisingly, Scripture has much to say about rest. My counselor suggested I focus on an Old Testament story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19:4-8.
Here’s a summary:
Afraid, Elijah runs into the wilderness and collapses under a tree– exhausted and at his wits end.
He lies down and falls asleep.
An angel touches him and says, “Arise and eat.”
The angel provides water and bread.
Elijah eats, drinks, and goes back to sleep.
A second time, the angel wakes Elijah and urges him to eat and drink.
Finally, Elijah gets up and continues his journey–strengthen in body and soul.
Necessities of Rest
Elijah’s restoration involves the basics: sleep, drink, and eat.
This pattern is simple and repeated: sleep, drink, and eat.
Sometimes rest begins with tending to our most basic needs.
Elijah’s Backstory
What makes Elijah’s need for rest so significant is his backstory. As the Lord’s prophet, Elijah stood against the forces of evil and darkness. His calling had very few perks and came at great personal cost.
More than once, Elijah declares:
I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. 1 Kings 19: 10, 14
Elijah was faithful, passionate, and devoted—good traits that can easily lead to exhaustion.
Giving Yourself Permission to Rest
You may not be a prophet, but even so, life is demanding. Like Elijah, you are probably devoted to the responsibilities God has given you.
Unfortunately, Elijah reached a point of despair before he recognized he needed rest. Let’s not allow that to happen to us!
During this Christmas Season, don’t permit fatigue to steal your peace and joy. Instead, remember to sleep, drink, and eat, and Give Yourself Permission to Rest.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for Elijah’s simple reminder which is so difficult to put into practice. Help me care for myself so I have the strength to carry on and enjoy this special time of the year. May it be so…Amen.
Questions to Consider:
- What stands out to you about Elijah’s story?
- How would you rate yourself concerning your own self-care?
- What practical, daily steps can you take to restore your strength and rest?
